Core array using coaxially spaced conductors



Nov. 20, 1962 E. GESSNER 3,064,334

CORE ARRAY usmc; COAXIALLY SPACED CONDUCTORS Original Filed Jan. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l INSULATION INVENTOR EUGENE GESSNER ATTORNEY CORE ARRAY USING COAXIALLY SPACED CONDUCTORS Original Filed Jan. 9, 1957 E. GESSNER Nov. 20, 1962 3 SheetsSheet 2 FIG. 4

E. GESSNER 3,064,334

CORE ARRAY USING COAXIALLY SPACED CONDUCTORS Nov. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 9, 1957 FIG.

3,064,334 CGRE ARRAY USING EGAXIALLY SPAQED (IGNEBUCTGR Eugene Gessner, 167 4 Yakona Road, Towson 4, Md. Grlginal application Ian. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 633,370.

Divided and this application Aug. 6, i953, Ser. No.

2 Claims. (Ci. 29-15557) This invention relates generally to magnetic cores and more particularly to processes for fabricating the conductors or windings used in the openings of the cores.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 633,370, filed January 9, 1957.

Magnetic core arrays are well known in the art and have the form of a lattice of magnetic cores in which the cores have two well defined extremes of magnetization for representing two values necessary to store binary numbers. A detailed explanation of the theory of operation of a typical array is described in the patent of E. W. Bauer and M. K. Haynes, Patent No. 2,889,540, issued June 2, 1959.

Heretofore, magnetic core arrays of the type described have been assembled manually with the windings being threaded through the cores. This technique of assembly has become increasingly time consuming and expensive due to the requirements of greater capacity memory arrays and the tendency of using smaller sized cores.

The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a plurality of windings for a magnetic core opening in which the windings are coaxial and electrically insulated from one another, and capable of assembly as a unitary element with the core while being adapted for automatic assembly in the manufacture of core arrays.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a process for fabricating a plurality of conductors as a unitary element for insertion in the opening of a magnetic core.

It is another object of this invention to provide a process for supporting a plurality of electrically insulated condnctors in the opening of a magnetic core.

It is another object of this invention to provide a process for fabrication of a plug having coaxially spaced conductors for insertion into the opening of a magnetic core.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention provides that a series of independent strips of conductive material be placed on a base strip of insulation material which is then wound about a conductor to form a cylindrical core plug of alternate coaxial layers of conductive and insulation material capable of being inserted in a core opening. The corresponding conductors of a pinrality of core and plug assemblies are adapted to be interconnected by appropriate circuits to form the windings for a magnetic core matrix.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a major surface of a core array and further illustrates the winding arrangement of one embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical view in perspective of a pair of cores and linking conductors arranged in accordance with the principles of this invention as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a section of the core array of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 showing corelinking conductors constructed according to the principles of this invention.

fihfi Patented Nov. 20, 1952 ine FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a plug such as used in the embodiment of FIGURE 1 having coaxially spaced conductors constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the arrangement of elements used in the construction of a single plug having coaxially spaced windings such as used in the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a structural modification of the elements used in the construction of the plug shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a portion of an array illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 8 is a view of a major surface of the embodiment of the core array illustrated in FIGURE 7 constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a single plane of a typical three dimensional array has toroidal magnetic cores 10 arranged in rows and columns and linked by X windings, Y winding, a Z winding, and an S winding. The patent of E. W. Bauer and M. K. Haynes, Patent No. 2,889,540, issued June 2, 1959, to which reference Was made previously, describes the manner of electrically selecting a particular core in a core plane by the X and Y windings, the selection of a particular plane in a three dimensional array using the inhibit or Z winding, and the sensing of the magnetic change of a particular core using the S winding. A sheet of material 12 receives the magnetic core 10 in each of the openings 14. Each core embraces coaxially spaced elements comprising conducting and insulating members wherein conductive cylinders 16, 13, and 20 are spaced about a rod 22 and are separated from each other and from the core by cylinders of insulating material 24, 26, 28, and 30.

A pair of plates 32 and 34 have a plurality of openings therein such that each opening has a diameter suficient to embrace the end of the cylinder 16 when the plates are positioned on opposing major surfaces of the sheet 12. The Y conductor comprises a conductor 38 on the upper surface of the plate 34, the cylinder 16, a conductor 40 on the lower surface of the plate 32, the cylinder 16 for the adjacent core in that row, and other elements of like construction arranged in a similar manner across the array. FIGURE 2 further illustrates the winding arrangement, and similar series Y windings link each core in all of the other rows. A pair of plates 44 and 46 have a plurality of openings therein of a diameter sufiicient to embrace the ends of the cylinder 18 when the plates 44 and 46 are positioned adjacent the plates 32 and 34 respectively. The X conductors comprise the cylinders 18 and connecting conductors on the sheets 44 and 46 with each X conductor linking each core in a column of cores. In conformity with the usual practice in the art, X and Y conductors link individual cores in the same sense. In a similar manner, a pair of plates 52 and 54 positioned adjacent the plates 44 and 46 respectively, embrace the ends of the cylinders 20, and support connecting circutry for the series Z windings. Similarly, a pair of sheets 58 and 60 positioned adjacent the plates 52 and 54 respectively, embrace the ends of the rod 22, and support the series S winding arranged according to the pattern shown on the sheet 60 and a pattern of like purpose on sheet 58 (not shown). A plurality of conductors 62 pass through openings in all of the sheets to complete the'continuous S Winding and pass current from one side of the plane to the other to preserve the sense of the S winding.

In FIGURE 1, it will be noted that the section as taken does not show all of the conductors which connect to the core-linking conductors. Accordingly, FIGURE 3 is merely an illustration of a general nature wherein all of the connecting conductors are rotated about the axis of the rod 22 until all can be shown in the same section plane to indicate that each coaxially-spaced conductor scribed are not to be considered limiting.

of the opposing major surfaces of the sheet 12.

=3 is connected to external circuitry to form the X, Y, Z and S windings.

In FIGURE 4, the coaxial plugs are fabricated by first arranging the elements of the structure according to FIGURE 5. A sheet of insulating material 64 such as the resin known by the trade name Mylar is cut in the shape of a series of rectangles 'of decreasing dimensions with the widths corresponding to the desired heights of the cylinders. The rectangular pieces of conductive material 16, 18, and 25 are made from sheet such as -annealed berylliurmcopper or the like, and are out according to the desired dimensions of the cylinders and cemented or otherwise secured to the sheet. Next the rod 22 is positioned under the sheet near the end of conductor 2%, and the insulating sheet 64 and conductors are rolled clockwise about the rod. After the plug is first formed in this manner, it may be heated and compressed in a mould to fuse the plug into a uniform and unitary structure as shown in FIGURE 4. Such a plug may be built having the largest diameter less than 0.030

inch for insertion into the openings of very small cores used at the present time having 0.050 inch outside diameter with openin s 0.030 inch in diameter and a thickness of 6.15 inch. While particular dimensions have been mentioned in this regard, it is to be understood that other sized plugs and cores may be used and those de- Plugs may be constructed in accordance with the invention having coaxially spaced conductors whichare not complete cylinders. Such cores may be constructed by the method just described using conductors having the shape'of I as shown in FIGURE 6. The cut-away portions reduce the possibility of electrical short circuits between conductors and reduce the inter-conductor capacitance.

While certain materials have been mentioned for use as the conductive elements in the foregoing description of the plugs, the elements '16, 118, and 29 may be first painted upon the sheet 64 using conductive paint; Then the conductive areas are plated to the thickness desired, and the plug formed in the manner described. Also, the plugs may be constructed by cutting the cylinders 16, 18 and 20 from metal tubes of conductive material, placing the tubes around'the rod 22 in a supporting jig, and extruding a nonconductive plastic material into the spaces between the cylinders. Such a method of construction is adapatable to automatic manufacture.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the insulating cylinder 24 between the cores and the Y conductors 16 may be formed as a strip and attached to'the conductor 16 before insertion of the plugin the core opening or it maybe formed by spraying or painting an insulating material within the core openings before insertion of the plug To summarize the construction of array inaccordance with the foregoing description, the openings 14, 62 (and others if required for converting circuitry) are formed in the sheet 12, and then the cores are deposited in the openings 14. If desired, a bonding agent may be applied to the sheet and cores to hold the cores in position. The

insulators 24 are formed by coating the core openings with an insulating material, followed by insertion of the individual plugs in each core opening. Then, the sheets 32 and 34 are positioned, each covering a respective one The Y circuitry for the conductors 16 is now developed on the sheets 32 and 34 by any method for depositing the predetermined pattern arrangement of' conductive areas known in the art such as metal spraying, photographic electrodeposition, or other like process. Subsequently, the sheets 44 and 46 are placed upon the sheets 32 and 34 respectively, and the X circuitry is developed on the accessible major surfaces of the sheets 44 and 46 to connect the conductors 18 in series circuits for each column. 'In like maner, the sheets 48 and 50 are'positinned and the Z conductors constructed. Similarly, the sheets 52 and 54 are positioned and the S conductors constructed with this construction including the forming of the conductors 62.

It is pointed out that the sheet 12 may be of Wax,

resin, or like material which can be'removed in any suitable way, as for example, heat or chemicals after fabrication of the array. The cores are retained in position by the plugs after removal of the sheet 12. With the sheet 12 removed the coresmay be cooled by convectron.

While the width of the insulating sheets 32, 34, 44, 46,

.3, 50, 52, and 54 are shown to be approximately the thickness of the cores, in practice the sheets could be quite thin depending only upon the insulating properties of the material used. Accordingly, the insulating sheets may be formed by alternate coatings of insulating material, and the metallic connecting X, Y, Z and S conother core-linking conductors. One of these portions is I illustrated as an area 64, which is an insulating coating applied over the plug to insulate the Z winding from the core 16 and the conductors 16 and 18. Similarly, other coated areas are illustrated by the areas, 66, 68, and to insulate the Y, S, and X circuitry respectively. Such coated areas for each core may be applied through a template and thereafter X, Y, Z and'S connecting circuitry may be simultaneously constructed by depositing the predetermined pattern arrangement of conductive areas by methods well known in the art. Accordingly,

all connecting circuitry is applied in one step rather than in successive steps of alternately constructing layers of insulation and conductive patterns.

The array shown in part in FIGURE 7 is illustrated in plan view in FIGURE 8. It will be noted from FIGURE 8. that each of the various conductors may be exposed on the major surfaces ofv the. arrays in this embodiment; whereas, in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, all conductors except the last formedare not exposed.

The particular pattern of linking cores using X, Y, Z and S conductors to form an array as above described is but one of many feasible winding configurations, and the particular form shown in FIGURES '1 and'7 is-not to be considered as limiting the invention 'sincethe conand details of the device illustrated and in its operation 7 may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the in-- V tention therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the.

scope of the following claims.

, What is claimed is: V

' 1. The method of fabricating a plug having coaxially spaced conductors for insertion in the opening of a magnetic core comprising the steps of forming a plurality of rectangular elements of conductive material, each successive element being formed of an increased width and decreased height, cuttinga single sheet of insulating material in the form of a series of attached rectangles ace gees with each successive rectangle having a height equal to the height of said succesive elements and a width greater than the Width of said successive elements, securing said elements serially in spaced longitudinal relation in the order of their increasing widths to said insulating sheet so that the heights of said elements and said attached rectangles correspond, placing a conductive rod at the end of said insulating sheet having the rectangular area of greatest height and on the side opposite to said secured elements, and rolling said insulating sheet a plurality of revolutions about said rod whereby a unitary structure is formed having alternate, coaxial and substantially cylindrical tubes of insulating material and independent conductive elements, there being a conductive rod at the center and a conductive element at the periphery of said structure.

2. The method of fabricating a plug having coaxially spaced conductors for insertion into the center of a magnetic core comprising the steps of forming a plurality of conductive elements essentially I-shaped with each successive element formed having less height and greater width than the preceding one, cutting a sheet of insulating material in the form of attached rectangles in which each successive rectangular area has less height and greater Width than the preceding one, said height corresponding to the height of said elements and the Width being greater than the width of said elements, securing said elements to said insulating sheet such that the heights of said elements and said rectangular sheet areas correspond, placing a conductive rod at the end of said sheet having the greatest height and on the side opposite to said elements, Wrapping said insulating sheet about said rod to produce a plug having a plurality of coaxially spaced pairs of interconnected conductive rims and a conductive rod, each said pair of rims and said rod being insulated from any other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,802,703 Burr Apr. 28, 1931 2,972,273 Obert Mar. 2, 1937 2,232,320 Georgiev Feb. 18, 1941 2,301,882 Kappelier Nov. 10, 1942 2,700,150 Wales Jan. 18, 1955 2,719,965 Person Oct. 4, 1955 2,777,192 Albright et al. Jan. 15, 1957 2,824,294 Saltz Feb. 18, 1958 2,877,540 Austen Mar. 17, 1959 2,914,840 Damiano Dec. 1, 1959 2,915,811 Zack et a1 Dec. 8, 1959 2,923,553 Schultz et al. Feb. 2, 1960 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,064,334 November 20, 1962 Eugene Gessner It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 1 to 3, for "Eugene Gessner, of Towson, Maryland," read Eugene Gessner, of Towson, Maryland, assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, of New York, N. Y. a corporation of New York, line 12, for "Eugene Gessner, his heirs" read International Business Machines Corporation, its successors and in the heading to the printed specification, line 4, for "Eugene Gessner, 1674 Yakona Road, Towson 4, Md."-read Eugene Gessner, Towson, Md. assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y. a corporation of New York; column 2, line 56, for "circutry" read circuitry line 71, for "section" read sectional column 3, line 75, for "maner" read manner -=n Signed and sealed this 11th day of June 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

